THE MEETING AND AFTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 13 March 1913, Page 5

THE MEETING AND AFTER.

. MR. MASSEY INTERVIEWED. IMMENSELY PLEASED. "OPPOSITION PLAYED INTO MY HANDS." FACTS ABOUT RECENT LOANS. (By Telograjb.—Press Association.) , ChristcHurch, March 12. After tho big meeting in tho theatre last evening Mr. Massey was interviewed by n representative of the "Press." "I was immensely pleased with the meeting," 110 said. "It was a meeting after my own heart. I feel quite certain that it has done an enormous amount of good. . I think the Opposition played into my hands every time. They got 1110 moro converts than my own speeches. I would willingly travel a .thousand miles to have another meeting like that." The "Press" representative had a few minutes' talk with Mr. Massey prior to his departure for Ashburton this morning, and the Prime Minister again, expressed his gratification with the result of last nighfs meeting. There was one point, Mr. Massey said, that he desired to amplify, and that was the referenco made by him in the course of his speech to the cost to tho Dominion of loans recently floated on tho london market. Tho cost of tho Ward Government's ,£5,000,000 loan worked out nt 12s. B}<l. per cent., that of the Mackenziy Government .£4,500,000 loan worked out at .£5 2s. 9d. per cent., while the cost of tho <£3,000,000 loan negotiated, a month or so ago by tlie Hon. J. Allen worked out at ss. Od. per cent. Tho latest loan was raised at four per cent, at 98. In other words, the .£3,000,000 loan cost 17s. 3d. per cent, 'less than the JM,500,000 loan, and 7s. 2Jd. per cent, per annum, less than the =05,000,000, or a saving in round figures of ,£25,000, as compared with tho cost of tho Mackenzie Government's .45 million loan. It should also be bomo in. mind; that at the time that the .£3,000,000 loan was floated tho JSnglish money market was seriously disturbed, and was in a condition much less favourable to colonial loan flotations than it was at the' time when the five million and 4!- million loans were offered. Despite the unfavourable condition of the English money market, when the ,£3,000,000 loan was floated, 20 per cent, of it was taken up by tho public, as compared with 13 per cent., of'-tho. 4J million loan, and 7 per cent, of the five million loan.

MINISTERS AND STUDENTS. ' A PLEASANT GATHERING. (By TelesTaph.—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, March 12.. After the meeting last night the Prime Minister, the lion. 11. H. Rhodes, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, and several members of Parliament were entertained at supper in the Thcatrp .Royal supper rooms | by students of Canterbury College and other friends. The gathering was informal in character and lmppy and enthusiastjo. in f tone. Songs, haltas,, choruses, -ahd- storife' filled up a" bright programme. Mr. C. S. Thomas, on behalf of the students, proposed the toast of "The Reform Party" and the health of the Ministers present. In doing so ho said that Christchurch was the most conservative place in New Zealand, but at the next, election they would "get busy." The students then gave vigorously their war-cry.

Sir. Herdman, Mr. Rhodes, and Mr. Nosworthy replied. 'Mr. Herdman referred to the interest evinced by young men in public life, and said that so long as the young men took such an interest it could be depended upon, that in' future they would have men in Parliament who would bo a credit to Parliament and a credit to tho country. Cheers were given for Mr. Massey, who thanked the students for .their reception, and said that the day had been a redletter day, and that he had particularly enjoyed tho present Blithering. ORGANISED ROWDYISM. FAILED IN ITS INTENDED EFFECT. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Cliristchurch, March 12. The "Press," commenting' on the disturbances at Mr. Masspy's meeting, says; "It was evident that the v Federation of Labour and the anti-militarists had made careful preparations beforehand with the object of annoying' and insulting the Prime Minister, and preventing him from gaining a fair hearing. Organised gangs of hoodlums rushed the theatre directly ■ the" 'doors' were open and established themselves in what they considered the best positions to carry out their plans. Cards containing anti-mni-tarist catch-cries of a provocative character were scattered through the audience, and a determined effort was madn to wort up the meeting into a hostilo mood. Worst of all was an attempt to which tho local Opposition press hud lent, its aid to uso the name and memory of a dead man in order to curry out tho premeditated design of thwarting free speech. Among tho cards scattered in hundreds through the audience was one bearing tho words: 'Citizens of Cliristchurch, remember Massey's slander of the late T. 'E. Taylor, nncl demand an apologv.' Mr. Taylor .himself'would-have loathed and despised such tactics. We are glad to believe that they were not countenanced by any of his friends. Certainly this proceeding was'regarded by the'audience generally as an outrage, and it utterly failed in its intended effect Tho niiti-mili'jar-ists and the red-tie brigade for some time did their best to prevent Mr. Massey from getting a hearing, even although they had been-assured that they would bo allowed to ask any questions and to move any amendment. By patience and endurance Mr. Massey wore them down, and Christchurch was spared tho shame and humiliation which it seemed at first might lie inflicted upon her. Great praise is, duo .to liis Worship the Mayor for the firm' and tactful way in which lie presided aver tho meeting, thus assisting very materially ill averting what would liavo been aliko a roproach and a disaster. As it is, wo agree with Mr. Massey that .the proceedings of the-interrupters last night will have the effect of adding thousands of votes to the Reform party. It is clear that at tho next, election the issues will be clearly defined, and that on Mr. Massey's side will bo people of moderate views and lovers of order and fair play. He will, of course, be opposed by the 'Red Feds," who distinguished themselves at Waihi, and the shirkers who wish to evade the duty of preparing themselves for their country's defence." PRESS COMMENT. PERSONAL TRIUMPH FOR MK. MASSEY.

(By Telegraph.—Speoial Correspondent.) Chi'istciiurch, March 12. Tho following aro extracts from tlio leading nrt : cle in the Clirisichurch "I'rcss" headed.a "Triumph for Mr. Massey," in regard to tho l'rimo Minister's mooting last evening:—Tho meeting ill the theatre last night was a triumph for tho Captain of llpform, and especially was it a porsonal triumph for Mr. Massey. The building was filled an hour l>efore tlio timo fixed for tho Meeting. Needless to say, that among tho earliest arrivals were those • who went for tho express purpose of attempting to organise interruptions to jirevent Mr. Massev from speaking. . Sufficient to say litre flint by his unvarying good temper, staunch courage, and plain, straightforward speaking, Mr, Massey wun a hearing in spite of the obstructionists, and, what is more, ho won tka eympalby anil respect of tho tludieuce,

Many of the electors have seen liitn jpio' viously only through- tlio" cloud-of mis''- ••' representation, abuse, anil calumny through which his opponents in the Opposition press and elsewhere have bought: * to hi do tlio real man. Last night tiiey saw Jiim as lie is—a bluff, honest statesman, not afraid to (speak luis mind, and sinccrely desirous of tho welfare, pf his country. Not only did he securo n hearty me of confidence from a huge' meeting' ; ' which his opponents had done their best to capture beforehand, but it is not 100 "inch to say that he won a i>lace in (ho aflcetions or many who heard him for tho first time. _ \Vo hope that this is 011.7 .'to ticgiunint; of uiany visits which 110 will pay to this city, and wo believe' that lie will eventually achieve liere a. • popularity second only to that which ho enjoys in the city which kndws liiiii best —tho city of Auckland. As to tho speech, it desires attentive perusal. It gave a brief outline of what the Government ' has already been able to accomplish in. the way of administration and. legislft-,, tioii. They found tho country in a very unsatisfactory state financially. Notwith- ' """ standing the fact of a European war and' • • :: a stringent money market, they hnvo floated a loan on far more: favourable : terms than their predecessors were able to secure. The present Government has restored to tho House of Representatives ;; that full control over the expenditure of which it had been deprived,, and this.''.-,., in itself cannot "but help .to enhance its credit; Facing, the bands of organised' obstructionists, Mr. Masscy dealt with tho defence question and the AVaihi strike' without flinching. He showed, that.in ex-,, ...,, tending protection to the ciUssens of Waihi who wero being tyrannised over by the .Federation of Labour, the Government billy did its duty, and he boldly do* . . clared that they would do it again., ' The Government has frbed tho Public Service from the blight of political influence, and made it an open career for merit without fear, favour, or a flection, It lias done its best to reform the legislative Council by making it representative of tho people, and' it is determined not to rest until its reforms have been •, . . fully accomplished. Perhaps, however, . tlie subjcct dearest to Mr. Map soy's heart is tho settlement of the land, with security of, tenure. The Government has sub- 1 * . stituted a freehold policy for the leasehold policy of its predecessors, and it in . actively pushing oil' tlie development tf the land and increasing its producing power. During the present month of 1 March some Nil ,000 acres of land, divided into Ml sections, will be thrown open for settlement,' and this is only to be nil item'bf what is to follow. Considering that the Govern.noiit has'been in office only eight months,- the'speech was. a fine £.( s record of work already accomplished. It was generally notable for the feeling of . hope and confidence with which he was inspired in regard to- the future. \\e havo 110 doubt that it will, be read with, approval-throughout, tlie country, .and.4 once again we heartily congratulate Sir. 1 * Masscy 011 his spirited and inspiring address, and the success with which it was attended,"' "" ~

■ THE POLICE. STATEMENT BY TIIE ■ SUPERINTENDENT. Christchurch, March' 12. Somo political capital has been nt« tempted to .be, 'made out of the alleged fact that the number of uniformed members of-tho'. police force present in the theatre, was very large. One commentator went so far as to remark that "the glitter of the uniform was everywhere, and nowhere, could 'a pebblo have been dropped without striking a, police officer. The police were present Jo '.insure,the succass of tho meeting as a political advertisement for tho Government."

A reporter saw Superintendent ICi<?ly to-day and obtained from him'a statement' 011 the subject. Superintendent Kiely first made it clear that tho presenceof tho police was not duo to any special instructions from the Department, "lu the ordinary course the officer in charge • acts on his own responsibility," Superintendent Kiely said, "and provides "what-,, ever number, of men is necessary to preserve peaco and ensure tho safety of tho public. The police do not go to a theatre Or any. other public building because tho meeting being held is a political' Meeting or any other kind of; meeting, but go to preserve peace and in the interests of tho safety of tho public. There are by-laws for regulation of 'the number to be accommodated in a theatre and simi. lar, buildings, and tho police have to see that these by-laws aro not violated, and that there is.jio overcrowding. ■ Last night they were most'particular in seeing that the passages, and exits were kept clear/'. As to the number of uniformed men inside the theatre last night, Superintendent Kiely said: "Not more than six uniformed members of . the force, including, tho sergeant, were detailed for duty in- ; side tho building.' It is lwssible that some of tho uniformed men on duty at thft gates and entrances, when, matters- were quiet outside, dropped into the theatre just to see how things were going on. Constables as just as curious as anyone else. At no time could there have been inside tho building more than 12 uniformed men at most, distributed in different parts of it." As to.the statement .that constables were brought from as far south as Ashburton, Superintendent Kiely said that it was'illaccurate. The farthest south station from which any constable was brought was Islington. Ashburton,. March 12.' ' Speaking at a banquet to Mr. \V Nosvorjhy, Mie Prime Minister referred to his reception in Christchurch last night and to the press reports of and comments upon (the same. He dwelt specially on the statement made by the "Lyttelton Times" that the officers were so numerous at 'the Christchurch meeting that a pebblo .could not be dropped without hitting one of them, and that the glitter of their uniforms was all over the building. Mr. Massey said he had telegraphed to Mr. Herdman asking him how many nolicemcn were at tho meeting, and tho Minister for Justice had replied 1 that tho provision for the protection of /property, and of people attending the meeting had been entirely in the hands of the local police authorities, and that not more than seven officers had been told off. to preservo order in the theatre dur'ng tho evening. Thero lnielit have been u down officers in the bu'ildintr, but net more. He believed that the . Clirlstclnirch meet, ing would do the Government an immensr amount of good., ...

AT .ASHBURTON, , . A VISIT TO :THE; show: •' (By Telegraph.—Frees Association.) Ashburton, March i 2. The Prima Minister and Postmaster-* General, ami several Parliamentarians, ' .nrrivM in-Ashburton byvthe fecoiui exI press', ironr Christchurch'this afternoon,-P-i" ami aflw they hioifl- beeil' welcomed by (lie ' > Mayor ami borough councillors, they visitcd tho A. and P. Association's autumn show, which Mr. Massey specially opened at. 2 p.m. TJio party spout the. afternoon on the show grounds, and at C o'oloclc wore banqueted by the association. Tho speeches in nil casts were very brief. . They are now (7.45 p.m.) about io attend , a complimentary social'to-Mi*. \Y. Nos Worthy, member for Ashburton.. '~ =L - ■ ■